Alan D. Riggs Sr., passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Mulberry Health. His family was by his side. Alan was 79 years old.

He was born October 24, 1943, in Lafayette, Indiana to Clarence Dale and Frances (Galloway) Riggs. He graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School. He spent most of his life in the car business or something related to cars. He owned Riggs Auto Appearance Center and was an insurance adjuster.

Alan loved people and was always the life of the party with a joke or true story that kept people laughing. His best friends were David Lewis and Don Trout. His friendships were very important to him. Alan was a stand in Santa for years to family and friends. His family was not very happy that he spent most of Christmas Eve out with others and they had to wait to open presents. He had a story that his grandfather O.K. Galloway taught him that he would tell all his nephews, niece, and grandkids (Oh Miss Witch).

His son died in 2010 and that was the beginning of his health issues. In retirement, he drove cars for Dave Lewis and truly enjoyed being with co-drivers and the male camaraderie with them.

During his time in the nursing home when Shirley talked to him, his first questions were how is Harley (his faithful cat) and are the boys (Skylar and David) here this weekend? (Those were two of his great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly).

On May 2, 1964, he married Shirley Wastl. They had two children, Alan Jr. and David (deceased), He was a good father spending time with his boys going to the NASCAR races, their sports events, and Purdue football games. He made sure they drove nice looking cars. He coached them in football when they were very young and watched them play softball as they were older. He was very proud of his children. He became a father figure to several Purdue Football players from 1995-1998 and enjoyed it very much. He would take his grandsons to car races every year and his granddaughter would ask him when was it her turn. He enjoyed skiing and sailboat racing on Lake Maxinkuckee when he was young. He took great pride in keeping his cars clean and keeping his yard perfect in his younger years.

Alan always wanted to make sure his family was taken care of and friends were happy. Never a dull moment when Alan was around.

Surviving are his wife, Shirley; son, Alan (Angie) Riggs of Lafayette; grandchildren, Michael, Danielle, and Joshua, all of Lafayette; great-grandchildren, Skylar, David, Juliette, Mason, and Jensen; several nieces and nephews; his sister-in-law, Sharon (Bob) Pritchard and brother-in-law, Mark (Jane) Wastl.

He was preceded in death by his son, David; his parents; and his in-laws, Max and Mary Wastl; his two sisters; brothers-in-law; and sister-in-law.

Memorial contributions in Alan’s name may be given to Franciscan Hospice.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am until time of service at 12:00 pm (noon), Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Soller-Baker, Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909 with Father Jeff Martin officiating.

Interment will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery.